New World Stages

New World Stages, originally Dodger Stages, is an Off-Broadway venue. The architects were Beyer, Blinder, and Belle. The theatre designers were Sachs Morgan, and the interior designer was Klara Zieglerova.^[1]

It is currently home to 6 shows:^[2]

• Rent
• Gazillion Bubble Show
• Avenue Q
• Million Dollar Quartet
• Naked Boys Singing
• Freud's Last Session

New World Stages is becoming the main location for the new piggybacking model Off-Broadway, whereby multiple shows adjust their playing times and share the same theater, set, and tech personnel to lower the costs of keeping an open-ended Off-Broadway show running.^[3] With the assistance of this model, two of New World Stages' tenants have recently recouped their initial investment (My First Time and Altar Boyz).^[4] It is also now home to two shows that were previously on Broadway, Avenue Q and Rent, a producing tactic utilized to encourage the extension of a show's commercial run. ^[5]

General information

History

From 1994 to 2001, New World Stages was the Loews Cineplex Entertainment Worldwide Plaza, a movie theater complex known for its inexpensive tickets. The complex was closed from 2001 until 2004, when, following substantial renovations, it re-opened as Dodger Stages. At the time of re-opening, the main bar was referred to as Bar 39, at first a non-alcoholic bar, which started selling alcohol in October 2004,^[1] changed to the Downstage Lounge, and then later, joined media partner Time Out to become the Time Out New York Lounge.^[2] Dodger Stages became New World Stages on March 16, 2006, after Dodger Stage Holding separated into Dodger Theatricals and Stage Entertainment. Stage Entertainment took over ownership of New World Stages. The theater complex has housed 34 different shows,^[6] as well as numerous events, readings and auditions.

Statistics

It holds 5 theaters, which, at full capacity, hold 1,917 patrons^[1]. Stages 1 and 3 have a maximum of 499 seats each, Stages 2 and 4 have a maximum of 360 seats each, and Stage 5 has a maximum of 199 seats. The complete square footage of the complex is 61,300 square feet (5,690 m²), and it reaches underground the length of a full city block, from 49th street to 50th street^[7].

With 7 shows running concurrently, spread out amongst the 5 available theaters, New World Stages currently has a maximum weekly attendance, for shows alone, of 16,073 people^[8] (this estimate taken by multiplying stage capacities by performances per week).

New World Stages is an Off-Broadway complex because none of its theaters have more than 499 seats, and none of its theaters has fewer than 100 seats. Theaters with fewer than 100 seats are Off-Off-Broadway. Theaters with 500 or more seats and are in the theater district fall into the Broadway level^[9].

Stage Entertainment

New World Stages is owned by a Dutch company, Stage Entertainment, founded by Joop van den Ende. The company owns 26 theaters in 8 different countries (USA, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia) and produces numerous shows in all of those countries, as well as Belgium^[10].

Stage Entertainment does more ice shows in Europe than any other similar production company^[11].

Shows and Show History

The following information is taken from the Internet Off-Broadway Database^[12]. New World Stages has been home to 41 Off-Broadway shows in its brief history, ranging in theme from a water based puppet show to a zombie musical.

Stage 1

499 Seats

The Great American Trailer Park Musical

Opened September 27, 2005. Closed December 4, 2005
Cast: Marya Grandy, Linda Hart, Shuler Hensley, Kaitlin Hopkins, Leslie Kritzer, Orfeh, Wayne Wilcox, Tracy Jai Edwards, Anthony Holds, Cathy Trien.

Evil Dead the Musical

Opened November 1, 2006. Closed February 17, 2007.
Cast: Jennifer Byrne, Jenna Coker, Renee Klapmeyer, Tom Walker, Ryan Ward, Brandon Wardell, Ryan Williams, Darryl Winslow, Amy Shute.

Elvis People

Opened June 21, 2007. Closed June 23, 2007.
Cast: Jordan Gelber, Jenny Maguire, David McCann, Nick Newell, Nell Page, Ed Sala, Kristen Bedard, Ned Noyes.

Die, Mommie, Die!

Opened October 21, 2007. Closed January 13, 2008.
Cast: Bob Ari, Charles Busch, Van Hansis, Chris Hoch, Ashley Morris, Kristine Nielsen, Melinda Helfrich.

Jackie Mason: The Ultimate Jew

Opened March 18, 2008. Closed July 20, 2008.
Cast: Jackie Mason

Rock of Ages (musical)

Opened October 1, 2008. Closed January 4, 2009.

Cast: Constantine Maroulis, Kelli Barrett, Nova Bergeron, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Brian Munn, Angel Reed, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor, Savannah Wise, Will Swenson, Jackie Burns, Lara Janine, Tad Wilson, Jeremy Woodard.
The show transferred to Broadway and plays now at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. ^[13].
Rock of Ages Official Website

The Toxic Avenger (musical)

Previews started March 18, 2009. Opened April 6, 2009.

Cast: Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green, Nancy Opel, Matthew Saldivar, Erin Leigh Peck, Nicholas Rodriguez, Celina Carvajal, Jonathan Root.
Current Cast: Celina Carvajal, Diana DeGarmo, Nicholas Rodriguez, Jonathan Root. Director: John Rando (Urinetown)
Music and lyrics: David Bryan (Bon Jovi)
Book and lyrics: Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change).
The Toxic Avenger Musical Official Website

Stage 2

360 Seats

Pieces (of Ass)

Opened December 10, 2004. Closed March 27, 2005.
Cast: Diahnna Nicole Baxter, Christie D'Amore, Sara Rae Gore, Rachel Hollon, Danielle James, Tami Mansfield, Cassie Pappas, Rachael Robbins, Lindsay Zir.

Drumstruck

Opened May 12, 2005. Closed November 12, 2006.
Cast: Ayanda, Richard Carter, Nicholas Africa Djanie, Nomcula Gerashe, Themba Kubheka, Enock Bafana Mahlangu, Ronald Thabo, Medupe, Molutsi Mogami, Molebedi Sponch Mogapi, Sebone Dzwanyudzwanyu Rangata, Tiny.

Bill W. and Dr. Bob

Opened March 5, 2007. Closed June 10, 2007.
Cast: Marc Carver, Kathleen Doyle, Deanna Dunmyer, Rachel Harker, Patrick Husted, Robert Krakovski, Katherine Leask, Paul Niebanck, Ted Pejovich, Kay Walbye.

Celia

Opened September 26, 2007. Closed May 25, 2008.
Cast: Pedro Capo, Sunilda Caraballo, Grizel Del Valle, Anissa Gathers, Modesto Lacen, Xiomara Laugart, Selenis Leyva, Sekou McMiller, Wilson Mendieta, Elvis Nolasco.

Flamingo Court

Opened July 31, 2008. Closed September 28, 2008.
Cast: Jamie Farr, Anita Gillette.

Rooms - A Rock Romance

Previews started February 27, 2009. Opened March 16, 2009. Closed May 10, 2009.
Cast: Leslie Kritzer, Doug Kreeger.
Rooms - A Rock Romance Official Website

Gazillion Bubble Show

Opened February 15, 2007. Moved to Stage 2 in September 2009.
Cast: Fan Yang, Ana Yang or Jano Yang depending on performance.
The Gazillion Bubble Show Official Website

Stage 3

499 Seats

Mandy Patinkin in Concert

Opened September 20, 2004. Closed October 28, 2004.
Cast: Mandy Patinkin

Modern Orthodox

Opened December 6, 2004. Closed May 8, 2005.
Cast: Craig Bierko, Jason Biggs, Jenn Harris, Molly Ringwald, Sarah Chalke, Sandy Rustin, Peter Smith.

A Mother a Daughter and a Gun

Opened November 1, 2005. Closed November 25, 2007.
Cast: David Bishins, Mario Campanaro, Veanne Cox, Olympia Dukakis, Matthew Greer, Laura Heisler, George S. Irving, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Daniel Pearce, Katrina Ferguson, Neal Lerner, Marilyn Pasekoff.

Burleigh Grime$

Opened June 13, 2006. Closed June 16, 2006.
Cast: Nancy Anderson, Jason Antoon, James Badge Dale, John Lavelle, Wendie Malick, Mark Moses, Ashley Williams, Kelly Sullivan, Doug Wert.

Mimi LeDuck

Opened November 6, 2006. Closed December 3, 2006.
Cast: Tom Aldredge, Candy Buckley, Robert DuSold, Allen Fitzpatrick, Annie Golden, Ken Jennings, Eartha Kitt, Marcus Neville, Ron Bagden, Wayne Schroder, Kay Walbye.

Gazillion Bubble Show

Opened February 15, 2007.
Cast: Fan Yang, Ana Yang or Jano Yang depending on performance.
The Gazillion Bubble Show Official Website

Avenue Q

Opened October 9, 2009.
Cast: Anika Larsen, Seth Rettberg, Cullen Titmus, Danielle K. Thomas, Sala Iwamatsu, Nicholas Kohn, Maggie Lakis.

Stage 4

360 Seats

The Immigrant

Opened November 4, 2004. Closed November 28, 2004.
Cast: Jacqueline Antaramian, Walter Charles, Adam Heller, Cass Morgan.

Altar Boyz

Opened March 1, 2005.
Original Cast (Actors): Ryan Duncan, David Josefsberg, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Scott Porter, Shadoe Stevens, Kevin Kern, Daniel Torres.
Cast (Replacements): Clyde Alves, Landon Beard, Corey Boardman, Matthew Buckner, Andrew C. Call, Danny Calvert, Jason Celaya, Chad Doreck, James Royce Edwards, Jay Garcia, Zach Hanna, Kyle Dean Massey, Dennis Moench, Ryan J. Ratliff, Nick Sanchez, Eric Schneider, Ryan Strand, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Jim Daly, Carlos L. Encinias, Joey Khoury, Jesse JP Johnson, Austin Lesch, Mitch Dean, Tim Dolan, Neil Haskell.
Current Cast: Lee Marham, Michael Kadin Craig, Mauricio Perez, Ravi Roth, Travis Nesbitt.
Altar Boyz Official Website

Naked Boys Singing

Opened at NWS October 16, 2005.
Cast (Actors): Current Cast Records unavailable.
Naked Boys Singing Official Website

Stage 5

199 Seats

Symphonie Fantastique

Opened September 16, 2004. Closed January 2, 2005.
Cast: Matthew Acheson, Oliver Dalzell, Sophia Michahelles, Lake Simons, Kevin Taylor, Basil Twist.

Musical of Musicals, the Musical

Opened February 10, 2005. Closed November 13, 2005.
Cast: Joanne Bogart, Craig Fols, Lovette George, Eric Rockwell, Matt Castle, Anna Winthrop.

Christine Jorgensen Reveals

Opened December 29, 2005. Closed January 18, 2006.
Cast: Christine Jorgensen.

Sidd: A New Musical

Opened March 15, 2006. Closed March 26, 2006.
Cast: Marie-France Arcilla, Dann Fink, Pamela Jordan, Nicole Lewis, Neil Maffin, Arthur Marks, Gerry McIntyre, Caryl Hughes, John-Andrew Morrison.

How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes

Opened November 12, 2006. Closed December 31, 2006.
Cast: Stephen Bienskie, Natalie Joy Johnson, Kevin Smith Kirkwood, Anika Larsen, Michael McEachran, Nicole Ruth Snelson, Courtney Balan, Chuck Ragsdale.

Sealed for Freshness

Opened February 25, 2007. Closed April 29, 2007.
Cast: Patricia Dalen, Jennifer Dorr White, Brian Dykstra, Nancy Hornback, J.J. Van Name, Kate VanDevender, Cynthia Babak, Shawn Cullan, Elizabeth Meadows Rouse.

My First Time

Opened July 28, 2007.
Cast: Bill Dawes, Josh Heine, Kathy Searle, Cydnee Welburn, Jennifer Miller.
My First Time Official Website

The All-American Sport of Bi-Partisan Bashing

Opened August 15, 2007. Closed October 14, 2007.
Cast: Will Durst.

Make Me a Song

Opened November 12, 2007. Closed December 30, 2007.
Cast: Sandy Binion, D.B. Bonds, Adam Heller, Sally Wilfert, Jason Dula, Alysha Umphress.

Pinkalicious, the Musical

Opened January 13, 2008. Closed September 21, 2008.
Cast: Greg Barresi, Erin Wegner Brooks, Molly Gilman, Mathew Pelliccia, Meg Phillips.

Tim Minchin

Opened March 5, 2008. Closed April 12, 2008.
Cast: Tim Minchin.

The Castle

Opened March 30, 2008 Closed May 23, 2009.
Cast: Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Kenneth Harrigan, Angel Ramos, Casimiro Torres.
The Castle Website

East 14th

Opened July 20, 2008. Closed September 6, 2008.
Cast: Don Reed.

What's That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling

Opened November 1, 2008. Closed December 28, 2008.
Cast: Peter Bartlett, David Pittu.

Flamingo Court

Previews started April 18, 2009. Closed July 19, 2009.
Cast: Lucy Martin, Herbert Rubens, Alex Bond, Tibor Feldman.
Flamingo Court Official Website

For Lovers Only

Opened May 11, 2009. Closed August 3, 2009.
Cast: Glenn Seven Allen, Monica L. Patton, Dominique Plaisant, Trisha Rapier, Kevin Vortmann.

Love Child

Opened October 31, 2009. Closed January 3, 2010.
Cast: Daniel Jenkins, Robert Stanton.

John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean

Opened April 1, 2010

Devil Boys from Beyond

Opened November 13, 2010. Closed December 4, 2010.
Cast: Robert Berliner, Peter Cormican, Chris Dell'Armo, Andy Halliday, Jacques Mitchell, Paul Pecorino, Everett Quinton, Jeff Riberdy.

Events^[2]

New World Stages hosted the many events, following are some examples:
Karaoke Idol, 2009
Born for Broadway, June 2009
The-Dream's Love Vs. Money listening party, 2009.^[14]
The World Premiere of Sordid Lives: The Series, 2008.
The Democracy Now Fundraising Dinner in 2008.
Jay-Z's American Gangster listening party, 2008.
Janet Jackson's Discipline listening party, 2008.
Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century Election Day party , 2008.
Kanye West's Graduation listening party, 2007.
The Webby Awards for Film and Video, 2007^[15].
Rosie O'Donnell's art gallery opening, 2007.
The New York Television Festival in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
10th anniversary celebration of Broadway's Chicago (musical), 2006.
Screenings and premieres for NBC, Sci-Fi, HGTV, Lifetime TV, and TV Azteca.
Showcases and Readings for numerous theatrical productions and schools.

The Time Out New York (TONY) Lounge^[16]

The Time Out New York Lounge was created out of a media sponsorship deal between New World Stages and Time Out New York in July 2006. The current programming the lounge features includes:

• Open Mic Night on Mondays at 9:30PM.
• The Set NYC monthly on the last Wednesdays of each month at 8:00PM.
• Jam Session every Wednesday at 9:30PM.
• [Julian Yeo]http://www.julianyeo.com bi-monthly on Thursdays at 7:00PM.
• Karaoke on Thursdays at 9:30PM.
• Lush and Lively with DJ Dan Fortune every final Friday of the month at 9:00PM.

Celebrities

Kanye West hosted a listening party for his album Graduation at New World Stages on August 28, 2007^[17].

For a listening party for her album Discipline Janet Jackson came to New World Stages on February 6, 2008.^[18].

The-Dream hosted a listening party at New World Stages for his album Love Vs. Money on January 28, 2009. Christina Milian, Angie Martinez and Island Def Jam Music Group CEO Antonio LA Reid celebrated with him.^[19].

The art of Rosie O'Donnell hung in the New World Stages art Gallery from October 9 to December 2, 2007^[20].

Jason Biggs and Molly Ringwald starred in Modern Orthodox at New World Stages in Stage 3^[21]

Amy Goodman, Danny Glover, Jackson Browne, Susan Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Willie Nelson, Juan Gonzalez, Sarah Jones, and Dick Gregory attended a Democracy Now gala at New World Stages on February 20, 2008.

Patrick McMullen created art for the first art gallery presentation at New World Stages^[22].

Francesco Scavullo's art was exhibited at the New World Stages gallery^[23].

Mandy Patinkin, Will Durst, Tim Minchin, Jackie Mason, Jamie Farr, Anita Gillette, Eartha Kitt and Constantine Maroulis are or have been in shows at New World Stages (see above).

The TONY Lounge has hosted many stand-up comics who have also been featured on Comedy Central^[24]

Olivia Newton-John, Del Shores, Bonnie Bendelia, Beth Grant, Leslie Jordan, Rue McClanahan, Caroline Rhea, Rosemary Alexander, David Cowgill, Jason Dottley, Sarah Hunley, David Steen, and Ann Walker attended the World Premiere of Sordid Lives: The Series, A Once Upon A Time Films Production created by writer/director Del Shores.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} William Grimes (October 22, 2004). "A Cineplex Beaten Into a Theaterplex". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/22/theater/newsandfeatures/22BROW.html?scp=16&sq=dodger+stages&st=nyt. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "New World Stages homepage". http://newworldstages.com/. Retrieved January 31, 2010. 
3. ^ Robert Simonson (January 27, 2008). "Shows Survive by Sharing a Stage". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/theater/27simo.html. 
4. ^ Campbell Robertson (February 6, 2008). "What Profits an Off Broadway Show?". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/theater/06altar.html. 
5. ^ David Itzkoff (September 14, 2009). "‘Avenue Q’ Won’t Close, Moving Off but Not Out". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/theater/15avenue.html. 
6. ^ iobdb.com
7. ^ Stage Entertainment - The Entertainment Group - Companies
8. ^ Official site for Broadway theater tickets. No broker markups. Buy tickets for Broadway plays, musicals and all theater
9. ^ nytheatre.com Fact File
10. ^ Stage Entertainment - The Entertainment Group - Theatre
11. ^ Stage Entertainment - The Entertainment Group - Productions - Ice Shows
12. ^ iobdb.com
13. ^ [1]
14. ^ [2]
15. ^ Welcome to the Webby Awards
16. ^ http://www.newworldstages.com/TONY%20CALENDAR.htm
17. ^ Inside The Listening Party For Kanye's 'Comeback' Album - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News Kanye's listening party for his album Graduation
18. ^ Sandra Rose - Listening Party Janet Jackson
19. ^ bossip.com - The Dream listing Party Love Vs. Money
20. ^ Playbill News: New World Stages Gallery to Offer Rosie O'Donnell's Solace
21. ^ Lortel Archives-The Internet Off-Broadway Database
22. ^ Patrick McMullan Company
23. ^ New World Stages Gallery to Present Scavullo Exhibition (BroadwayWorld.com)
24. ^ N E W W O R L D S T A G E S